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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC VARIABILITY AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATION STUDIES IN Aloe (Aloe barbadensis Mill.) FOR AGRO - BOTANICAL AND QUALITY TRAITS(AAU, Anand, 2004) DEORE, ABHIJIT A.; Sriram, S.Aloe (Aloe barbadensis Mill.), one of the priority medicinal plants of commercial importance in India, belongs to the family Liliaceae. Dry weight of juice and aloin content (gm/100 gm dry exudate) are important economic traits of this plant. These traits are manifestations of many contributing characters. As the work on genetics of these traits is scarce in the literature, the present investigation was undertaken. Information was generated on variability, character associations as well as direct and indirect effects of different characters on these economic parameters of Aloe. The field experiment was conducted during January-2002 to February-2003 at the experimental farm of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Project, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The experimental material (19 months old) comprised of 23 genotypes. The evaluations were made in completely randomized design. Observations were recorded on randomly selected five plants and each plant was treated as single repeat. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all 35 characters studied suggesting presence of good deal of variability in the experimental material. The characters studied were length of inflorescence, number of flowers per inflorescence, density of flowers in an inflorescence, per cent pollen fertility, number of capsules per inflorescence, number of seeds per inflorescence, number of seeds per capsule, per cent seed germination, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf thickness at the base, number of leaves per plant, weight of single leaf, weight of gel, volume of gel, dry gel content (gm/100 ml juice), fresh weight of juice, dry weight of juice, moisture per cent in juice, fresh weight of exudate, dry weight of exudate, moisture per cent in exudate, dry exudate content (gm/100 ml exudate), cold extracted gel (gm/100 ml juice), cold extracted gel (gm/100 gm gel powder), hot extracted gel (gm/100 ml juice), hot extracted gel (gm/100 gm gel powder), aloin content (gm/100 gm fresh exudate), aloin content (gm/100 gm dry exudate), aloin content (gm/100 gm fresh juice), aloin content (gm/100 gm gel powder), barbaloin content (gm/100 gm fresh exudate), barbaloin content (gm/100 gm dry exudate), barbaloin content (gm/100 gm fresh juice) and barbaloin content (gm/100 gm gel powder). Characters, length of inflorescence, number of flowers per inflorescence, density of flowers, per cent pollen fertility, number of seeds per inflorescence, per cent seed germination, weight of leaf, weight of gel, volume of gel, fresh weight of juice, dry weight of juice, fresh weight of exudate, dry weight of exudate, cold and hot extracted gel in juice, cold and hot extracted gel in powder showed predominance of genotypic variance and also showed high magnitude of broad sense heritability coupled with high genetic advance. Hence, it is concluded that experimental material possessed potential for improvement in these traits. Correlation matrix revealed that all character paired were positively and significantly correlated with each other both at genotypic and phenotypic levels but for number of flowers per inflorescence and number of leaves per plant which were negatively correlated. Characters, length of inflorescence, number of flowers per inflorescence, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf thickness at the base, weight of single leaf, weight of gel and fresh weight of juice showed their highly significant and high magnitude positive association with both the economic parameters viz., dry weight of juice and aloin content (gm/100 gm dry exudate). Hence, based on high magnitude correlation coefficient with economically important characters, it could be concluded that certain inflorescence and leaf characters could be exploited for improvement in this crop. Path analyses revealed that leaf thickness at the base and weight of gel had positive direct effect on both the economic parameters i.e. dry weight of juice and aloin content (gm/100 gm dry exudate). Other characters, length of inflorescence, number of flowers per inflorescence, leaf length, leaf breadth, weight of single leaf and fresh weight of juice had direct but negative effect on these economic traits. Though their correlation with economic traits was positive and significant, their direct and indirect effect on both the economic parameters was variable. In general, characters leaf thickness at the base and weight of gel, with high magnitude of direct effects may be helpful to select the elite genotypes for improvement in these two economic traits i.e. selection could be based on visibly assessable character leaf thickness at the base and later results could be confirmed in laboratory, testing for gel weight. Based on these analyses and mean values, eight elite genotypes viz., IC-112522, IC-112527, KM 12535, IC-112528, KM 11269, KM 12531, Bitter rayan and Sweet rayan were identified for further use in crop improvement programme.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC ARCHITECTURE OF GREEN FRUIT YIELD AND QUALITY CHARACTERS IN RELATION TO GMS BASED HYBRIDS IN CHILLI (Capsicum annuum var. longum (D.C.)Sendt.)(AAU, Anand, 2004) PATEL, PRAGNESH R.; Patel, J. A.The present investigation comprised of 40 F1S developed from four Gms lines and ten male parents through Line x Tester mating design in chilli (Capsicum annuum var. longum (D.C.) Sendt.) was undertaken at Main Vegetable Research Station, Gujarat Agricultural University Anand during kharif planting crop season of the year 2002-03. The experimental material (40 F1S, 4 Gms lines, 10 pollen parents and one check variety) was evaluated in complete randomized block design with three replications. The main objective of the experiment was to study heterosis, gene effects and combining ability effects for green fruit yield and various yield as well as quality characters. Analysis of variance indicated presence of considerable amount of variability among genotypes for all the fourteen characters studied. Mean squares due to parents and hybrids were significant for all the characters. Whereas, parents was. hybrids contrast comparison was significant for all the attributes except average fruit weight, suggesting the existence of differences between parents and hybrids leading to evidence for presence of heterosis for all those characters. In respect to per se performance of parents, among the Gms lines ACMS-3 and ACMS-4 and among the male inbreds ACS 97-2, ACS 2000-01. ACS 2000-02, ACS 2000-03, Punjab Gucchedar and RHRC Pendent were found to be superior for green fruit yield and most of the yield as well as quality characters. Among the hybrids. ACMS-2 x Pb. Gucchedar. ACMS-3 x Pb. Gucchedar. ACMS-3 x ACS 97-2, ACMS-4 x Arka lohit and ACMS-2 x ACS 2000-02 had high per se mean for green fruit yield. These hybrids also possessed high mean values for other important characters in respect to yield and quality. In the present investigation, significant and higher estimates of relative heterosis, hetcrobeltiosis and standard heterosis were observed for green fruit yield. The hybrids ACMS-2 x Pb. Gucchedar. ACMS-4 x ACS 2000-03, ACMS-4 x ACS 2000-01 and ACMS-3 x Pb. Gucchedar exerted greater amount of heterobelliosis and standard heterosis for yield, these hybrids also depicted larger estimates of heterosis for number of fruits per plain. These lop ranking hybrids also registered significant desirable heterosis for most of the growth and quality characters in addition to important yield contributing component characters. For number of fruits per plant, hybrid ACMS-3 x Pb. Gucchedar borne the highest fruits followed by ACMS-4 x Arka lohit and ACMS-2 X Pb. Gucchedar. likewise these hybrids also depicted the maximum values of standard heterosis and larger estimates of heterobeltiosis for the said trait. These hybrids also registered higher estimates of various heterotic effects for one or more than one yield contributing component characters. In respect to earliness, hybrids ACMS-: X ACS 2000-03. ACMS-4 x ACS 2000-03 and ACMS-1 x ACS 96-33 look the minimum days for flowering. hence these hybrid had the least estimates of standard heterosis. The estimates of components of genetic variance revealed the importance of non additive gene effect for genetic control of green fruit yield and its important component character number of fruits per plant, for all the growth attributes except plant height and for all the quality parameters. Additive gene effect was importance for fruit length and fruit diameter. Whereas, both the components of genetic variance were significant for average fruit weight. For plant height and fruit shape index none of the gene effects had significant estimates.ThesisItem Open Access HETEROSIS, CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS IN BRINJAL (Solanum melongena L.)(AAU, Anand, 2004) PATEL, BHAVESHKUMAR RAMANBHAI; Jadeja, G. C.Brinjal {Solarium melongena L. 2n=24) also known as egg plant is an important vegetable crop of India. In India, brinjal occupies an area of about 0.51 million hectare with production of 8.80 million tonnes. In Gujarat, it is cultivated in 31,183 hectares giving a production of 5,43,076 tonnes. Inspite of a large number of varieties available in India, only a few are promising, and generally they are improved varieties. Though the wide genetic variability is available in this crop, it has not been utilized and exploited fully. To maintain the uniformity of fruits and to increase yield levels development of hybrid varieties as well as improved varieties having high yield with desired morphological and quality characters is also an urgent need of recent time. Keeping in view the importance of brinjal and need for its improvement, an experiment was conducted to analyze the extent of relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis among thirty-one hybrids developed from fourteen selected diverse parents. Further the developed genotypes were subjected for character association study to know the association of various agronomically important and some quality traits viz., days to flowering, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, number of fruits per plant, number of functional branches, plant height, moisture, dry matter, total soluble sugar and phenol with fruit yield per plant and also among themselves. These genotypes were grown in 7 x 7 simple lattice design with two replications. The experiment was conducted at Main Vegetable Research Station, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during kharif- rabi 2001-2002. Out of thirty-one crosses studied, extent of relative heterosis, heterobeltosis and standard heterosis were computed using the mean values. Highest amount of relative heterosis was recorded by cross Doli-5 x AB-99-4 for average fruit weight, followed by cross KS-331 x AB-99-4 for fruit yield per plant. Study on heterobeltiosis and relative heterosis showed similar findings. In both the cases the cross Doli-5 x AB-99-33 reported the highest value for the average fruit weight followed by cross Doli-5 x AB-99-33 for average fruit length. The highest expression of standard heterosis was found for cross Doli-5 x GP-217 for number of fruits per plant followed by cross BB-71 x AB-99-33 for phenol content. Hybrid BB-71 x Green Castor long was found to be a good as it exhibited moderate, high and very high significant to highly significant values of heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for different traits studied except for moisture content. Parent BB-71 was found to be a very promising combiner as it's crosses showed significant and highly significant values for most of the traits under study, this suggests the need to exploit the present material for combining ability study to work out good breeding plan for the improvement of the present status of the crop. Correlation coefficient analysis reported that, only days to flowering was having desirable significant effect on fruit yield per plant in negative direction, whereas all the other traits exhibited non significant association. Number of functional branches showed highly significant positive correlation with number of fruits per plant and significant positive correlation with fruit length respectively. Path coefficient analysis based on genotypic correlation revealed that days to flowering is the major yield attributing trait, suggesting earliness as the highly influencing trait to be considered as very important trait for selecting high yielding genotypes. The indirect effect of number of functional branches on fruit yield via number of fruits per plant was moderate and coupled with highly significant positive correlation value, indicated the importance of selection of highly functional branched genotypes. The finding of the present investigation lead to the conclusion that the scope of improving the present status of brinjal crop through heterosis breeding is high. Earliness coupled with high functional branching habit of the plant is the desirable ideotype to be selected as per the character association study for effective results.ThesisItem Open Access LINE X TESTER ANALYSIS FOR YIELD AND QUALITY TRAITS IN RED CHILLI (Capsicum annuum var. longum (DC) Sendt.)(AAU, Anand, 2004) SHAH, KEYUR ASHWINKUMAR; Bhalala, M. K.Chilli is an important vegetable crop from Solanaceae family. Due to wide variability, it holds potential for further improvement. The present investigation on chilli comprised of 4 GMS based females, 9 males, 36 F1 hybrids and 2 check varieties S-49 and Jwala. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications at Main Vegetable Research Station, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, during kharif-rabi 2002-2003. Heterosis, combining ability and components of genetic variance were studied for 10 characters viz. days to flower initiation, plant height, fruit length, fruit girth, fruits per plant, fruit weight, red ripe fruit yield per plant, ascorbic acid content capsaicin content and moisture content. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes for all the characters. Several hybrids exhibited heterobelriosis and economic heterosis for red ripe fruit yield and other characters. The hybrids worth for commercial exploitation of heterosis were ACMS-3 X ACS-2000-2, ACMS-4 X RHRC Pendant, ACMS-4 X ACS-97-2, ACMS-3 X LCA-301 and ACMS-3 X RHRC Pendant. The analysis of combining ability suggested predominant role of non-additive gene action for days to flower initiation, capsaicin content and moisture content. While both additive and non-additive gene actions were observed to be important for the traits namely plant height, fruit length, fruit girth, fruits per plant, fruit weight, red ripe fruit yield per plant and ascorbic acid content. The estimates of gca effects revealed that GMS lines ACMS-3 and ACMS-4 and male parents ACS-2000-2, ACS-2000-3, RHRC Pendant and GC-1 appeared to be good general combiners for red ripe fruit yield per plant and some of the other yield attributes and quality parameters. The estimates of specific combining ability effects indicated that cross combinations ACMS-3 X LCA-301, ACMS-1 X ACS-2000-1, ACMS-4 X ACS-97-2 and ACMS-3 X ACS-2000-2 were good cross combinations for red ripe fruit yield, its major components as well as quality characters. The three hybrids ACMS-3 X ACS-2000-2, ACMS-4 X ACS-97-2 and ACMS-3 X LCA-301, which showed high per se performance, higher heterotic effects and significant sea effects could be exploited for heterosis and for developing high yielding varieties following appropriate breeding methodology.ThesisItem Open Access HETEROSIS AND COMBINING ABILITY IN PEARL MILLET (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.)(AAU, Anand, 2004) MISTRY, JIGAR GIRISHKUMAR; Saiyed, M. P.Pearl millet is one of the important staple food crops of India ranking fourth in acreage. It being a drought tolerant crop has become the important component of dry land farming. The present investigation on pearl millet comprised of 5 (CMS) based females, 12 males, 60 F1 hybrids and 3 check hybrids, GHB-526, GHB-558 and MH-169. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications at Plant Breeding Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, during summer 2002-2003. Heterosis, combining ability effects and components of genetic variance were estimated for 14 characters viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of tillers per plant, effective tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, fodder yield per plant, earhead girth, earhead length, earhead weight, test weight, grain yield per plant and protein content. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes, parents and parents Vs hybrids for all the characters. High magnitude of parents Vs hybrids contrast comparisons indicated presence of conspicuous heterosis. Eight hybrids showed positive standard heterosis for grain yield. The highest standard heterosis for grain yield and yield attributes was recorded with hybrid ICMA 98222 x 179 SB followed by JMSA 9701 x J 2405. The perusal of data for combining ability analysis indicated that the variance due to general combining ability was non significant for all the characters, whereas its counter part variance due to specific combining ability was significant for all the attributes except days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity and earhead girth. However, the estimates of potence ratio and degree of dominance revealed preponderance of non additive genetic variance for days to maturity, plant height, effective tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index and test weight; whereas, equal importance of both the variances was observed for days to 50 per cent flowering, number of tillers per plant, fodder yield per plant, earhead length, earhead weight, grain yield per plant and protein content The estimates of gca effects revealed that CMS lines ICMA 98222 and JMSA 9701 and male parents 179 SB, 180 SB and J 2405 appeared to be good general combiners for grain yield per plant and some of the other yield attributes and protein content as well. The estimates of specific combining ability effects indicated that, the cross combinations ICMA 98222 x 179 SB, ICMA 97222 x 180 SB, ICMA 2002 X 179 SB, ICMA 9902 x 234 SB and ICMA 98222 x 178 SB were found to be good specific combiners for grain yield, other yield attributes and protein content. The hybrids ICMA 98222 x 179 SB, JMSA 9701 x J 2405, ICMA 97222 x J 2405, ICMA 98222 x J 2405 and ICMA 97222 x 180 SB, showed high per se performance, higher heterotic effects and significant sea effects and hence these hybrids could be exploited for heterosis and for development of high yielding inbreds through appropriate breeding methodology.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC VARIABILITY AND ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS IN SLENDER GRAIN RICE {Oryza sativa L.)(AAU, Anand, 2005) PRATAPSINH, MAKAWANA BHAVANISINH; Jadeja, G. C.Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple food crops of tlie world. The nature and magnitude of genetic variability, interrelationships and direct and indirect effects were studied for different yield and quality traits, in different genotypes of slender grain rice. The experiment comprised of slender grain rice, sown in randomized block design with two replications. It was conducted at Main Rice Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Nawagam, during kharif 2004. Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis were studied for 25 characters viz., days to 50% flowering, number of tillers per plant, plant height, panicle length, grain yield per plant, 1000-grian weight, hulling per cent, milling per cent, head rice recovery, grain length, grain breadth, grain L/B ratio, kernel length, kernel breadth, kernel L/B ratio, kernel length after cooking (KLAC), kernel breadth after cooking (KBAC), kernel elongation ratio (KER), breadth expansion ratio (BER), water uptake (WU), volume expansion ratio (VER), amylose content, protein content, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time. The analysis of variances revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. All the traits exhibited predominance of genotypic variance in total variance and the magnitude of heritability (broad sense) was also high. Moderate estimates of genotypic coefficient of variances were observed for grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, head rice recovery and grain L/B ratio; while the quality components tike kernel L/B ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time recorded moderate to high genotypic coefficient of variances. High genetic advance (% of mean) coupled with high heritability, were observed for agro-morphological traits viz., plant height, grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight and grain L/B ratio; whereas the quality traits viz., kernel LiB ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time also showed similar trend. Most of the remaining traits recorded moderate genetic advance coupled with high heritability. The characters like grain yield per plant, test weight, head rice recovery and grain L/B ratio exhibited moderate genotypic coefficient of variances, with high heritability and high genetic advance. Parallel trend was observed for the quality characters like kernel L/B ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time; which indicated the better scope for improvement of these traits by an effective selection programme. The correlation coefficient analysis indicated significant and positive association of grain yield with plant height and grain breadth. Interrelationships among important yield components viz., panicle length, 1000-grain weight and grain length was also noticed. Hulling and milling per cent exhibited significant positive association with each other and with water uptake and volume expansion ratio. Kernel length an important from traders' viewpoint, showed association with grain length, grain L/B ratio, kernel L/B ratio and kernel length after cooking. The quality components like kernel elongation ratio and water uptake showed significant positive association with kernel length after cooking. The protein percent showed negative correlation with water uptake; while alkali score (GT) and water uptake were positively associated. Alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time showed strong positive association. The path analysis with grain yield as dependent variable, indicated that the high direct effects were observed for plant height, grain length and head rice recovery; while the indirect effects were predominant for panicle length, test weight and grain breadth. The path analysis for quality components with kernel length after cooking, showed high direct effects of kernel length and kernel elongation ratio; whereas selection for kernel L/B ratio, water uptake, alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time can indirectly improve the cooking quality. Based on mean values of morphological traits the genotypes IET 19004, IET 19035, IET 190037, lET 19044 and lET 19045 were identified as elite genotypes; while IET 19001, IET 19009 and IET 19035 were superior with respect to the pre-cooking quality traits. The genotypes lET 19023, IET 19033, IET 19035 and IET 19036 were superior genotypes based on post-cooking quality traits.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC VARIABILITY AND ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS IN SLENDER GRAIN RICE (Oryza sativa L.)(AAU, Anand, 2005) MAKAWANA, BHAVANISINH PRATAPSINH; Jadeja, G. C.Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple food crops of the world. The nature and magnitude of genetic variability, interrelationships and direct and indirect effects were studied for different yield and quality traits, in different genotypes of slender grain rice. The experiment comprised of slender grain rice, sown in randomized block design with two replications. It was conducted at Main Rice Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Nawagam, during kharif 2004. Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis were studied for 25 characters viz., days to 50% flowering, number of tillers per plant, plant height, panicle length, grain yield per plant, 1000-grian weight, hulling per cent, milling per cent, head rice recovery, grain length, grain breadth, grain L/B ratio, kernel length, kernel breadth, kernel L/B ratio, kernel length after cooking (KLAC), kernel breadth after cooking (KBAC), kernel elongation ratio (KER), breadth expansion ratio (BER), water uptake (WU), volume expansion ratio (VER), amylose content, protein content, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time. The analysis of variances revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. All the traits exhibited predominance of genotypic variance in total variance and the magnitude of heritability (broad sense) was also high. Moderate estimates of genotypic coefficient of variances were observed for grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, head rice recovery and grain L/B ratio; while the quality components like kernel L/B ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time recorded moderate to high genotypic coefficient of variances High genetic advance (% of mean) coupled witli liigli heritability, were observed for agro-morphological traits viz., plant height, grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight and grain L/B ratio; whereas the quality traits viz., kernel L/B ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time also showed similar trend. Most of the remaining traits recorded moderate genetic advance coupled with high heritability. The characters like grain yield per plant, test weight, head rice recovery and grain L/B ratio exhibited moderate genotypic coefficient of variances, with high heritability and high genetic advance. Parallel trend was observed for the quality characters like kernel L/B ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time; which indicated the better scope for improvement of these traits by an effective selection programme. The correlation coefficient analysis indicated significant and positive association of grain yield with plant height and grain breadth. Interrelationships among important yield components viz., panicle length, 1000-grain weight and grain length was also noticed. Hulling and milling per cent exhibited significant positive association with each other and with water uptake and volume expansion ratio. Kernel length an important from traders' viewpoint, showed association with grain length, grain L/B ratio, kernel L/B ratio and kernel length after cooking. The quality components like kernel elongation ratio and water uptake showed significant positive association with kernel length after cooking. The protein percent showed negative correlation with water uptake; while alkali score (GT) and water uptake were positively associated. Alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time showed strong positive association. The path analysis with grain yield as dependent variable, indicated that the high direct effects were observed for plant height, grain length and head rice recovery; while the indirect effects were predominant for panicle length, test weight and grain breadth. The path analysis for quality components with kernel length after cooking, showed high direct effects of kernel length and kernel elongation ratio; whereas selection for kernel L/B ratio, water uptake, alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time can indirectly improve the cooking quality. Based on mean values of morphological traits the genotypes IET 19004, IET 19035, IET 190037, IET 19044 and IET 19045 were identified as elite genotypes; while IET 19001, IET 19009 and IET 19035 were superior with respect to the pre-cooking quality traits. The genotypes IET 19023, IET 19033, IET 19035 and IET 19036 were superior genotypes based on post-cooking quality traits.ThesisItem Open Access GENOTYPE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION IN FORAGE MAIZE (Zea mays L.)(AAU, Anand, 2004) MACWANA, SNEHABEN S.; YADAVENDRA, J. P.Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the third most important cereals next only to wheat and rice in the world with respect to both area and production. Maize is also considered to be a valuable cereal forage. An ideal genotype is one that combines high yield and stability in its performance across years and locations.. As the knowledge of G x E interaction and stability of genotypic performance over environments helps in selection of stable genotypes hence, the present study was envisaged. The experimental material comprised of fourty two maize genotypes of diverse origin. The experiment was conducted in the year 2002-2003 in Kharif-2002, Rabi-2002 and Kharif-2003 at the Main Forage Research Station, G.A.U., Anand. The randomized block design with three replications was used for the purpose and sowing was done in a single raw plot with 10 cm distance between plants in a row. The observations were recorded for twelve characters viz., days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, days to 50% milking, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, leaf:stem ratio, green forage yield per plant, dry matter per cent, dry matter yield per plant and crude protein content. The data were subjected to stability analysis as per the method suggested by Eberhart and Russell (1966). The results revealed significant G x E interaction for all the characters except plant height, leaf width and dry matter pe cent. The regression analysis revealed that the linear component of G x E interaction was significant only for days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, days to 50% milking, dry matter per cent and crude protein content, while non-linear component (pooled derivation) was significant for all the traits. The linear component was predominant for days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, days to 50% milking, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, green forage yield per plant, dry matter per cent, dry matter yield per pant and crude protein content which suggested that performance of genotypes could be predicted across the environments with greater precision. Among 42 genotypes under study, TOBA-17, HAIT-34 and GM-2 showed stability coupled with high mean for green forage yield per plant. Genotype HAIT-34, ANTI GP-2, BRVT-138 and GUAD-16 were stable for dry matter yield per plant with high mean. Genotypes TOBA-17, CUBA-164, BRVI-120, PANA-153, CUBA-146, HAIT-22, HAIT-31, HAIT GP-6 and HAIT-21 were stable with higher mean for crude protein content. CUBA-124, HAIT GP-2, TRIN-24, GREN-2 and TRIN-30 genotypes were found stable for leaf: stem ratio and genotypes GUAT GP-21-18A, BRVI-138, PANA-153, PANA-89, GUAD-12, SURI-802, HAIT-21, TOBA-7 and African Tall were stable for number of leaves per plant. Genotypes CUBA-135, GUAD-16, SVIN-1, CUBA-124, HAIT-21, HAIT-35 and GM-2 were found stable with low green forage yield per plant, whereas genotypes BRVI-146, CUBA-164, BRVI-120, CUBA-135, SVIN-1, TRIN-24, GREN-2, HAIT-21, TRIN-30, HAIT-35 and TOBA-8 were found stable with low dry matter yield per plant.ThesisItem Open Access HETEROSIS AND COMBINING; ABILITY STUDIES IN BAJRA [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.](AAU, Anand, 2005) Patel, KIRTANKUMAR YOGESHKUMAR; Patel, D. R.Pearl millet is one of the important staple food crops of India ranking fourth in acreage. Being a drought tolerant crop, it has become an important component of dry land farming. The present investigation on pearl millet comprised of 5 CMS - based females, 10 males, 50 F1 hybrids and 3 check hybrids GHB-526, GHB-558 and MH-169. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications with inter row spacing of 60 cm and intra row spacing of 15 cm at Plant Breeding and Cytogenetics Research Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand during kharif 2004. Heterosis, combining ability effects and components of genetic variances were estimated for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of leaves per plaint, number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, fresh weight per plant, dry fodder yield per plant, grain yield per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index, earhead length, earhead girth, earhead weight and test weight The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes for all the traits except harvest index. Parents differed significantly for all the traits except number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant and harvest index. In case of hybrids, variance was significant for all the traits excluding earhead weight, which suggested existence of difference between parents and hybrids leading to evidence for manifestation of heterosis. Several hybrids exhibited heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis for grain yield per plant and other yield attributing characters. The hybrid worth for commercial exploitation of heterosis were ICMA 92777 x 98 SB, ICMA 96555 x 187 SB, JMSA 20005 X 211 SB, ICMA 96555 x 211 SB and JMSA 98222 x 187 SB. The analysis of combining ability revealed that non additive gene action solely governed the traits namely days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of leaves, number of tillers and number of effective tillers, fresh weight, biological yield, earhead weight, grain yield, dry fodder yield and harvest index. While, preponderence of additive gene action was observed for earhead length, earhead girth and test weight The estimates of general combining ability effects indicated that none of the parents was good general combiner for all the characters studied. The estimates of specific combining ability indicated ICMA 96555 x 187 SB as the best cross for grain yield followed by JMSA 101 A x 217 SB. The three hybrids ICMA 92777 x 98 SB, ICMA 96555 x 187 SB and JMSA 20005 x 211 SB showed high per se performance, higher heterotic effects and significant sea effects hence those could be exploited for heterosis and for developing high yielding varieties following appropriate breeding methodology.